Shuttle mechanism for embroidering-machines.



M. SGHOBNFELD.

SHUTTLE MECHANISM FOR EMBROIDERING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. B, 1912.

Pawnted Feb. 2, 1915.

Q a N wi f vlle ooeo THE NORRIS PETERS 60., FHOTCPLITHQ. WASHINGTON, By C MORRIS SCI-IOENFELD,

F ROBSOHAGH,

SWITZERLAND.

SHUTTLE MECHANISM F013. EM'BROIDERING-MAGHINES.

Application filed February 8, 1912.

if '0 all whom, it may concern Be it known that I, Monnrs Scnonnrnnn, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rorschach, in the Canton of St. Gall, Switzerland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shuttle Mechanism for Embroidering-Wachines, of which the following is a specification.

lviy invention relates to embroidering machines of the large type wherein a large number of stitching elements are arranged in a plurality of superimposed rows and more particularly the invention relates to a shuttle mechanism for machines of this character.

Embroidering machines of the large type have generally been constructed with two longitudinal rows of stitching mechanisms such as needles, shuttles and cooperating devi es, and under former practice it has been impracticable for various reasons, to construct the very long machines with more than two such rows of stitching elements. In a patent issued to me on the 30th day of April, 1912 and numbered 1,024,911, I showed and described several forms of machine wherein I am able to use more than two rows of stitching mechanisms and in fact as many as six rows. In a machine having more than two rows of stitching devices the rows are arranged in closer relation one to the other so that the rows of embroidery produced by each set of stitching devices comes in closer relation to each of the other rows, than where only two rows are used. Yet, however, it is very often desirable or necessary to produce embroidery in rows separated a greater distance one from the other than the several rows of stitching mechanisms are arranged for. F or instance, in a machine having four rows of devices arranged at definite heights it may be desirable to produce embroidery with the uppermost and lowermost rows of devices alone, or it may be desirable to produce embroidery by means of the two intermediate rows of devices alone; and the object of my present invention is to so arrange and construct the shuttle mechanism that any one or several of the rows of stitching devices may be temporarily supported in an inoperative position while others perform their function in the production of embroidery designs. This may be found desirable where more space is required between the rows of embroidery or Where it is simply Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 2, 1915.

Serial No. 676,406.

desired to operate the machine with one, two, or three rows of mechanisms.

Under my present invention any number of rows of shuttle mechanisms may be temporarily retracted from operative postion and be properly supported while the remaining mechanisms operate.

In the drawings forming a part of this application, Figure 1, is an elevation of a portion of what is generally called the rear or shuttle side of an embroidering machine, and Fig. 2, is a cross section through the embroidering machine, in which I have illustrated four rows of embroidering devices.

In the form of machine herein which is preferably of a similar character to that shown in my said patent number 1,024,911, I have shown a plurality of upright supporting members 1 and 2, arranged opposite to each other and on opposite sides of the embroidering machine. These supporting members are stationary and rigid and I arrange them at comparatively close intervals through the length of the machine in a similar manner to the construction shown in my said patent.

Mounted upon the standard 1, I have shown a number of stationary shafts 3, there being four rows of such shafts arranged at equal vertical distances from each other.

Arranged lengthwise of the machine, I have shown needle bars 4, of ordinary construction which carry the needles 5; and sleeves 6, of the needle bars are arranged to reciprocate on the shafts 3, and laterally of the machine. I have also shown bore points 7, arranged on the reciprocating bars 8, below the needles, and I have also shown detents supported on bars 9, and arranged to operate upon the fabrics 11 and 12, which are shown arranged in a vertical plane between rollers 15, 16, and rollers 13, 14 respectively. These elements are of known construction and they are simply shown herein to indicate the relationship of the shuttle mechanism to the other stitching elements.

' Upon the standards 2, I have mounted the shuttle mechanisms, which are here shown arranged in four superimposed rows, but it is to be understood that the number of rows may be changed as desired. The standards 1 and 2, are spaced apart sufliciently to give space between the fabrics 11 and 12, and the standard 2 to allow the shuttle mechanisms to be retracted from ric, or laterally of the machine.

ard 2, I have provided shafts 19, extending at right angles from the bars 17. These shafts are arranged to reciprocate 1n the apertures, in the several standards 2. 13V

means of these bars and shafts the shuttle tracks or guides 18 and through the same the shuttles of the machine, are supported at intervals throughout the length of the machine. By means of the shafts 19,, the shuttle tracks may be moved laterally of the embroidering machine for the purpose .of bringing the shuttle tracks near the fabric as shown in the uppermost and lowermost rows in Fig. 2, or they may be retracted to the position shown in the two intermediate rows in Fig. 2, in which latter position the shuttle tracks and shuttles will be out of operative position.

The fabric holders on the tambour frame are here shown as rollers, arranged upon the shuttle side of the tambour frame. This, together with the retractable shuttle arrangement, permits the fabric holders to pass the retracted shuttle tracks by moving between them and the needle bars.

While I have shown the shuttle tracks 18, as being arranged in oblique relation, I do not limit my invention to this particular form or arrangement of the shuttle tracks.

The driving mechanism for operating the shuttles is here shown as consisting of a longitudinal bar 20, for each row of shuttles and I have shown the usual shuttle engaging pins 21, and 22 on opposite sides of the bar for the purpose ofengaging opposite ends of the respective shuttles. Each of the bars 20 is provided with a number of sockets 23, and I have arranged diagonally disposed shafts 24, which pass through the sockets 23, and the shafts are secured by means of set screws 25. The direction in which the shafts 24, are arranged depends upon the disposition of the shuttle tracks and therefore in the present case I have arranged these shafts parallel with the oblique shuttle tracks 18. The several shafts 24, together with drive bars 20, are all reciprocatable and as a means for-guiding them I have arranged journal sockets 26, at intervals along the respective supporting bars 17. It will be observed therefore that the shuttle drives and shuttle tracks may be all moved in unison.

Upon the standards 2, I have arranged shafts or supporting members 27, which project from the standards toward the fab There are in fact in, the present showing four rows 27, 27 27 27, of these shafts or supporting elements and I prefer to arrange them on each of the standards 2, so that the weight of the driving elements will be carried .upon-thestandards 2, at intervals along the machine. The several drive bars 20, are provided with apertures 28, in sleeves 28, at intervals along their length corresponding in position with the positions of the several shafts 27, 27, 27*, 27. That is, the uppermost bar 20 has an aperture in line with each of the shafts 27; the bar 20 in the second row from the top has an aperture 28, for each of the shafts 27 and so on for each row of vSh ttle mechanism.

The shafts 27 to 27 are allreciprocatable in the standards so that they may be advanced to support the drive bars'preparatory to the retracting of the latter.

The shaft 24, may be operatively connected with one or any number of the several shuttle drive bars 20, and for this purpose I have constructed the shaft in separable parts. In Fig. 2, the upper member 29, of the shaft 24, is connected with the drive bar 20, of the uppermost shuttle mechanism and the member 30 is connected with the drive bar of the lowermost shuttle mecha-' nism. YVhen only the upper and lowermost shuttle mechanisms are operated the mem bers 29 and .30, are connected by the intermediate memher 81, which is joined thereto by means of suitable couplings 32. In Fig. 2,, a shaft element 33, is shown connected with the drive bars 20, 'of the two intermediate shuttle mechanisms.

Operation: At the time the fabric is being arranged in place all the shuttle mechanisms are moved back into the position represented in the middle portion of Fig. 2, that is, the supporting bars 17, will be placed in close proximity to the standards 2, and they will be supported in this position by the several shafts 19. The several drive bars 20, while in the retracted position are supported by the several shafts 27, 27 etc., which lie in the several apertures 28. If only the uppermost and lowermost shuttle mechanisms are to be operated their supporting bars 17, are moved to the position shown in Fig. 2, where the tracks 18 will lie in close proximity to the fabrics 12 and 11, which is the operative position. The shafts 24, will then consist of the connected parts 29, 30, 31, and when these shafts are reciprocated' only the upper and lowermost drive bars 20, will be operated; and during the operation of only these two rows of mechanisms the two intermediate mechanisms will remain supported in the retracted position shown in Fig, 2, where they will be out of the way of the parts which are operating and will be properly and firmly supported. That is, the bars 17, of the intermediate mechanisms will be supported by their shafts 19, and the drive bars 20, will be stationa-rily supported by means of their supporting elements 27 and 27". If it .is desirable to afterward change the arrangement so that all four rows of mechanisms will be operated all four shuttle mechanisms will be moved to the retracted position where the several drive bars will be stationarily supported by the members 27 to 27". While in this position the intermediate member 33., of each of the shafts 24, may be disconnected by means of the couplings 32, and the member 33, may then be connected between the members 29 and 30, to take the place of the member 31. The shafts 2%, will then be connected with all four of the drive bars 20. All of the four mechanisms may be then moved forward into operative position and all four shuttle drives will then be operated in unison by the shafts 24;. It obvious that while the bars 17, are at all times supported by the shafts 19 while the several drive bars 20, are supported upon their shafts 27 and :27 only when the mechanisms are in retracted position, but are free to be reciprocated when the shuttle mechanisms are in the operative position.

By providing the separate supporting devices for the several supporting bars 17, and for the several shuttle drives and by providing interchangeable connections constituting the shafts 24, it is possible to operate one or several of the shuttle mechanisms without interferences with those which remain inoperative.

The several shafts 24:, may be operated in any desired manner, but I have shown herein a number of brackets 3%, in which I have mounted lateral shafts 35. On each of the latter there is fulcrumed an angle lever 36. The pin 37, on each of the levers 86 is arranged to engage the blocks 38, provided on the lower ends of the shafts 24. The downwardly extending arm 39 of each of the angle lvers is preferably connected by a link 40, and the operating force is applied to the endmost arm 39, in the usual manner. Vilhen all of the angle levers are rocked in unison they cause simultaneous reciprocation of all of the shafts 24-. The blocks 38 are slidable along the shafts 87, a distance corresponding with the movement back an l forth of the drive shafts 24:.

Having described my invention what I claim is 1. In an embroidering machine a stationary frame, needle bars, a movable tambour frame, a plurality of superposed rows of shuttle tracks, and means supporting the shuttle tracks on said stationary frame whereby a row of shuttle tracks may be arranged in an operative position and another row or rows may be placed in a retracted or inopentive position to be free of said tambour frame, shuttle drive bars adpated to be placed in an operative position relative to the tambour frame or to be retracted t an inoperative position, and means connecting individual. shuttle drive bars with their re spective shuttle tracks and for connecting and disconnecting different rows of shuttle drive bars, whereby certain of the drive bars and their corresponding tracks may be placed in an operative position relative to the tambour frame while others are retained in a retracted or inoperative position away from the tambour frame.

2. An emln'oidering machine comprising a stationary frame, a movable tambour frame, having fabric rollers, needle bars, a plurality of superposed rows of shuttle tracks and corresponding shuttle drive bars, and means for connecting and disconnecting different rows of shuttle tracks and shuttle driving bars whereby certain of the rows of shuttle mechanisms may be conjointly operated while others are in retracted or inoperative position, at least some of said shuttle tracks and their respective drive bars being movable to a retracted or inoperative position, whereby the tambour frame and its fabric rollers may move between the needle bars and the retracted or inoperative shuttle drive bars.

3. An embroidering machine, comprising a stationary frame, needle bars, a movable tambour frame, a plurality of superposed rows of shuttle tracks and shuttle drive bars, substantially upright drive shafts and means for connecting and disconnecting the said drive shafts and the several drive bars,

and means for supporting the disconnected 3' drive bars in a retracted position away from the tambour frame.

4-. An embroidering machine comprising a stationary frame, a movable tambourframe having fabric holders on the shuttle side, needle bars, a plurality of superposed rows of shuttle tracks and corresponding shuttle drive bars, means for movably supporting said shuttle tracks and their respective drive bars whereby at least some of the shuttle tracks and drive bars may be placed in an operative position and others may be simultaneously placed in a retracted position which will permit the tambour frame and its fabric holders to move between the needle bars and the retracted shuttle tracks, ind means for operating the shuttle drive are.

5. In an embroidering machine, a station ary frame, needle bars, a movable tambour frame, a plurality of superposed rows of shuttle tracks, means for supporting said rows in operative or retracted positions, shuttle drive bars cooperating with the shuttles of the several rows, upright drive shafts for simultaneously operating the several drive bars and interchangeably connected therewith so that certain of the drive bars may be connected for simultaneous operation by said shafts while others remain in- -n6wAn-embroidering machine comprising a stationary frame, shuttle mechanisms embodying longitudinally disposed superimposed bars, meansfor-supporting said bars on the stationary frame, whereby the shuttle mechanisms may be placed in an operative or retracted position, retractable shuttle drive bars having apertures, and lateral shafts on the stationary frame arranged to be received into the apertures in said bars when the drive bars are in their retracted position for the purpose of supporting the shuttle. drives when in the latter positions.

7. An embroidering machine comprising a stationary frame, shuttle mechanisms embodying longitudinally disposed superimposed bars, means for supporting said bars on the stationary frame whereby the shuttle mechanisms may be placed in an operative or retracted position, retractable shuttle drive bars, means for independently supporting the drive bars in their retracted position upon the stationary frame,.and shafts for operating the drive bars, composed of Copies of this patent may be obtained for interchangeable parts whereby difi'erent rows of drive bars maybeconnected. for

simultaneous operation while others remain in the retracted position.

8, An embroidering machine comprising a stationary; frame, shuttle mechanisms embodying longitudinally disposed superimposed bars, aneans for supporting said bars on the stationaryv frame whereby the shuttle mechanisms may be placed in an operative or retracted position, retractable shuttle drive bars, means for independently supporting the drivebars in their retracted po sition upon the stationary frame, shafts for operating a plurality of drive bar s'in unison other shafts, angle levers arranged thereon, said levers being arranged to operate said first shafts and movable connections between said first shafts and said levers to permit of the retraction of the shuttle drive members. Signedat the city, county and State of New York, this 29th dayof January 1912.

An'rHUR K. KUHN, C r Asr Ji CAvAnAoH.

five cents each, by addressing"the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

